“You don’t have to be a professional chef to use our cutlery and cutting boards,” said owner Jason Zuck. “However, more and more celebrity chefs are using teak cutting boards like the ones we sell.” He added that teak boards have been prominently featured on the Food Network.

For centuries teak has been used to build consumer products as varied as furniture and boats. “These cutting boards are made to last forever. If taken care of properly, they’ll be handed down as family heirlooms,” said Zuck.

In addition to their durability, wood cutting boards made of teak are gaining popularity among the environmentally conscious. Zuck explained that teak is a sustainable, renewable resource. KitchenChopShop.com sells cutting boards by Proteak, which obtains its wood from plantations in Mexico and Latin America. In fact, Proteak has earned a Forest Management certificate from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Zuck described Proteak cutting boards as “conflict free”: the wood harvested for use in their production does not endanger any forestland.

While bamboo also has been touted as an eco-friendly choice for wood cutting boards, Zuck noted that teak is actually better. Teak is not as hard as bamboo, so it is gentler on cutlery. He also said less teak is required for production, and when compared to cutting boards made of other woods, such as maple, oak and walnut, teak is the cost-effective choice.

Quality is equally important when choosing kitchen knives. “Wood cutting boards and top-rated knife sets go hand in hand. They should be two of your best friends in the kitchen,” advised Zuck.

KitchenChopShop.com sells Ginsu knives, made famous in America through memorable TV ads in the 1970s. Today, Ginsu knives are known for their superior quality. Ginsu’s Chikara series received a Consumer Reports Best Buy rating. The site’s Ginsu knives fall into four basic categories:

High end – Hanaita (“superior chef”) series, with blades of layered high- and low-carbon steel

Zuck stressed the importance of using quality, sharpened knives. Kitchen injuries while cutting food – in particular slicing bagels – are one of the most common reasons people visit the emergency room. “Dull blades are actually more dangerous than sharp blades,” he explained. “Dull blades tend to slip, while sharp blades are accurate.”

KitchenChopShop.com also sells butcher blocks and kitchen carts. Its Proteak and Ginsu products are covered by manufacturer warranties. For more information, visit Kitchen Chop Shop online at http://kitchenchopshop.com.